Atewa Forest Reserve: Why President Akufo-Addo Must Listen To Environmental Activist Groups Like The Eco-Conscious Citizens Group

In the unusual and uncertain times we now live in, wise leaders worldwide, ought to  listen to their people -  and promptly  address their COVID-19 era concerns. In that sense, U.S. President Trump, is a very,  very wise leader: for  backing those Americans who are protesting against the economy-destroying and undemocratic  COVID-19 lockdowns.

Here in Ghana,  as World Water Day (Sunday, 22 March, 2020) approaches, we must also commend environmental activist  groups, such as the Eco-Conscious Citizens group, which are demanding that the government acts to protect the Atewa Forest Reserve by halting plans to allow bauxite mining in it  - because it is the watershed for three major river systems, the Birim, the Densu and Ayensu rivers, sourced by the Ghana Water Water Company Limited  (GWCL), for  treatment to produce potable water,  for over 5 million people in southern Ghana.

May God bless, protect and guide all the  gallant members of the Eco-Conscious Citizens group, always. And many thanks indeed to the brilliant young journalist, Sefanam Agbobli, for the  words of wisdom contained in her very well-written article, entitled:  "COVID-19: Use lockdown to clean our cities, protect Atewa forest – Group urges gov’t". Cool.

And,  hopefully, in light of the fact that  today,  the vast majority of  Ghanaians have seen the important  role the availability of  potable water, in communities nationwide, plays, in ensuring the health of the citizenry (demonstrated so vividly, in the advice given by the authorities  tasked to ensure  public health across Ghana, that hand-washing under running tap water, helps prevent people from being infected by the dangerous and highly infectious COVID-19 virus;  and reinforced by the government's dramatic and unprecedented lifesaving decision, to bear the cost of water for households across the country, for the next three months!); the government of President Akufo-Addo, will now finally come to  understand,  clearly, why they must no longer risk the well-being of the millions who depend on the three major river systems, which  take their watershed from the Atewa Forest Reserve: and act swiftly, to  rescind the terrible and amoral  decision, to allow the mining of bauxite in the Atewa Forest Reserve.

Finally, it is important that all the members of our country's political class, understand clearly, that  forced-regime-change can actually result from this burning-issue, if President Akufo-Addo  does not ignore all his advisors, and personally take action  to rescind that foolish and shortsighted decision, immediately. Yooooo. Hmmmm. Eeiiii, Oman Ghana, eyeasem ooooo - enti yewieye paaa enei? Asem kesie ebeba debi ankasa, oooo. Yooooo...